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u.s. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LA_W ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMiNISTRATION NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFERENCE SERVICE WASHINGTON, D.C. !20531

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*STANDARDS for police officer candidates

"' . , 1 Q i Prescribed by the

• \c.~ Municipal Police Training Council ......... fIIIl MUNICIPAL POLICE '~ TIIAINING COUNCIL

, JO~H~I~':':NERHACH

MICHAEL J. CODD PATRICK J. CORBETT JAMES W. FLATER WARREN D. KELLER WILLIAM E. KIRWAN JOHN F, MALoNE WILLIAM A. VALENTINE

STATE OF NEW YORK Malcolm Wilson, Governor

DIVISION OF CRIMINAl. JUSTICE SERVICES Archlba!d R. Murray, Commissioner

BUREAU FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE Charles C. McCloskey, Jr., Director

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If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov.

STATE OF NEW YORK

ARCHIBAL.O R. MURRAY COMMISSIONER

EXeCUTIVE DEPARTMENT

DIVISION OF CRIMI/I!AL JUSTICE SERVICES BUREAU FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE

EXECUTIVE PARK TOWER STUYVESANT PLAZA CHARLES C. McCLOSKEY. JR.

ALBANY, NEW YORK 12203 518.457.1244

U. S. Department of Justice Law Enforcemen't Assis'cance

Administration National Criminal Justice

Reference Service Washington, D. C. 20530

Gentlemen:

DIRECTOR

February II, 1975

Reference is made to your letter dated January 9, 1975 directed to all state Planning Agencies and Regional Planning Units.

In accordance with your request, I am pleased to enclose herewith for inclusion in the Evaluation Clearinghouse five copies of a document entitled !fHeight, Weight and )".,:;ical Fitness Standards for Police Office Candidates II publishE::d by t··· New York State Municipal Police Training council on November 12, 1974.

CCM:bf Enclosures

Sincerely,

c~sQ~~~. Jr. Director Bureau for Municipal Police

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TITLE PAGE

N~~~_Lk """ HEIGHT, WEIGHT AND PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDARDS ~~--.~' ~h;\. ,_* ..... llW""l~""~,~,~~ ••• "'\tlII~J"."i.~"·t.!';;;~~~_."...,.""_...:;:, ... ;Ir"":r>.k .... ~::ifr,iI~~.;O:'~~_"

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Revised - 1974

The following Height, Weight and Physical Fitness Standards are hereby prescribed by the Municipal Police Training Council 3S required by Section 58 of the civil Service Law (Chapter 326 of the Laws of 1965 and Chapter 66, Laws of 1973). These standards shall apply to all medical and physical fitness tests held on and after the effective date hereof.

Adopted and prescribed by vote of the mem­bers of the Municipal Police Training Council on January 4, 1966; amended on June 13, 1968, November 6, 1969, August 19, 1971~ ApriZ 11~ 1974~ and November 12~ 1974.

Published and distributed by the Municipal Police Training Council

Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Park Tow.er Stuyvesant Plaza Albany, New York 12203

518-457-1244

Revisions made 11/74 set out in itaZios.

INTRODUCTION

Since 1965 the Municipal Police Training Council has had the statutory responsibility to establish height, weight and physical fitness standards for the appointment of male police officers. Chapter 66 of the Laws of 1973 broadened that respon­sibility to include both male and female officers. To meet this new responsibility fairlY, the Council and its staff have examined the available literature, statutes and regulations in this and other jurisdictions, as well as all the relevant judicial opinions. The council has conducted pub,lic hearings on the issue throughout the State and has consulted ~lidely with knowledgeable and interested persons on the subject.

In approaching its new responsibili'l:y, the Council has been especially mindful of its multiple responsibility to be fair. The Council recognizes fully that whatever standards it devises must be fair to applicants of both sexes who seek positions in the police service. The s'tandards must also deal fairly ~o: ',,:~:1 persons who are already engaged in police work. At the same t:u,lle, the Council remains deeply conscious of its duty to consider the safety and welfare of all citizens as it goes about the task of setting stan­dards. The new standards published herewith are the results of a careful process of balancing these multiple responsibilities.

The function of policing is a highly complex, and demanding set of responsibilities and duties. rhe enforcement of the general criminal laoy,/s of the state may involve an officer at any given time in simple acts of observation, the moderately demanding task of un­tangling a traffic jam, the physicallY taxing effort of outrunning and overtaking a teenaged purse snatcher, the psychologically exact­ing job 0 f settling an explosive family dispute, or the physically deI\1an~ing work of disarming and subduing a drunken or derange!d person. Occasa.onally the job may even involve the traumatizing experience of usilng deadly physical force against another human being.

In establishing physical standards for candidates ,~ho will be expected to perform this mixture of functions the Council is mind­ful of the fact that a detailed analysis of every job element: followed by a thorough exploration of all the physical characteristics that either facil~tate or impede performance would be the ideal method of proceeding. At the same time, the Council recognizes that the mandate of the Legislature allows insufficient time for su.ch extensive explora­tion. Moreover f each day the Council remains silent on the issue of

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standards as it devotes its full attention to new standards, the degree of administrative chaos grows. Personnel departments are unsure of the appropriate standard to be used where female police candidates are concerned. As a result, a variety of practices are developing which the council must move promptly to halt.

Given the exigency of the circumstances in which the Council finds itself, the Council concludes that it must act with dispatch. The authority of the Council, as set forth in section 840 .of the Executive Law, includes the power to amend, from time to time, its rules and regulations prescribing height, weight and physical fitness.

Accordingly, the council intends to continue its expl.ora­tion of the appropriateness of various standards even as it publishes a set of standards for interim use. No standard can be fully accept­able unless it has been validated, and valida'tion ideally occurs as a process which examines the item in use over a reasonable period of time.

Some persons, after reading the current case law, have urged the abandonment of standards until such time as validation establishes that any given standard is absolutely required for successful performance of the police function. The council con­sidered this course but rejected it. While the Council is keenly aware of the absence of validation studies which establish beyond doubt the job relatedness of certain existing physical standards, the ,council is also extremely sensitive to the public safety needs of the community at large. Abandonment of all physical standa~ds at this time while efforts to establish validation are launched would, in the eyes of the Council, constitute an unwarranted risk to the safety of the general public. The approach adopted by the Council has been ,to revise standards in a manner that will allow most persons an opportunity to compete for police appointment. At the same time~ recognition is given to the fact that existing stan­dards have been associated with a certain level of domestic tran­quility. These standards should not be suddenly and totally aban­doned without careful examination. For example, should it be estab­lished by scientific proof that physical size of an officer has the effect of deterring incipient violence on the part of a citizen, it would be regrettable if tha'tstandard were abandoned prematurely, particularly if that prematur~i abandonment resulted in the unnecessary loss of life. As a consequence, the Council has resolved to move with caution as it seeks to meet the mandate imposed upon it by Chapter 66 of the Laws of 1973.

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To date" the Council has found no reliably validated evidence that sex is a borla fide occupational qualification for the position of police officer. As an abstract proposition, a female should be as capable as a male in the performance of the function of policing. Clearly, there are differences between the two sexes. To date, however, there has been no showing that sex in and of itself is the critical factor which determines ability to be an effective police officer. There may be factors determin­ing effectiveness which have a high degree of correlation with the sex of the officer but so far no evi.dence has been marshalleo to show that sex, by itself, is an indispensible factor in determining police officer performance. The Council, therefore, concludes that there should be a single title--police officer--for which it will set standards.

The council recognizes that just as there are differences between males relating to height, bone structure, muscle development, weight and other factors, there are differences between the sexes on these and other factors of comparison. The Council also notes that women are distributed differently on the scales of height and weight than are men. For this reason the Council has resolved to adopt two sets of charts correlating height and weight - one for males and another for females.

On the question of height, the Council continues to believe ,that there is a degree of advantage to the public in having its offi­cers at least as tall as most of the general populaticn. However, the council recognizes that in the absence of overwhellning scientific proof of its job relatedness, such a height standard cannot be used to exclude all those applicants who fall below it. The Council has established a scale which awards some score to every person but awards the highest scores to those who exceed the national median height for his or he3: sex. The preference of the Council would have been to establish a national median height for the combined male and female population and use that as the cut-off point for the award of maximum scores. However, that height would have exceeded the height of most of the female population. In light of the current state of the case law in this area, the Council considered the adoption of two heights the more prudent course. Periodic examinations of the height of offenders in New York state reveal that they tend to be grouped around the nat:ional mean height. Since the officer has little choice in the selection of his adversary every effort should be made before­hand to see that the officer has every possible advantage in the encounter-'""'including height.

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Weight should be proportionate to the height of the cRndidate. The tables included within these standards afford applicants the possibility of accommodating a variety of builds, bone structures and muscle development.

Physical fitness, in the view of the Council, is com­prised of endurance, strength, speed and agility. This element, physical fitness, is particularly important in the every-day per­formance of police duties. The police officer, during the course of his duties, may at any time be called upon to rescue tenants from a burning building. Sometimes this may involve lifting elder­ly or handicapped tenants from the structure. Frequently, the ability of an officer to race up several flights of stairs may make the difference bebleen succeSs and failure in the rescue effort. Similarly, the ability to outrun a youthful purse snatcher may obviate resort to the use of a firearm to halt the escape. Most importantly, the officer who can bring about compliance with his lawful order by means of physical strength can avoid resort to the ultimate persuasion of a firearm. In the view of the Council, every possible step must be taken to facilitate compliance to law without resort to the use of deadly physical force.

For these reasons, considerable emphasis is placed upon the physical fitness tests. The same tests are,administered ~o all candidates, both male and female. The cand~date must ach~eve a combined score on the tests of physical fitness which will place her or him at level four. This level of achievement places the can­didate in the 31st percentile of the population to which the tests have been administered--t'We~fth grade students.

The total standards established entail the use of competi­tive scores. Height and weight, as well as physical fitness, are assigned numerical values. Candida'tes must achieve a minimum com­posite of 150 points in order to qualify. Under this scheme no applicant is automatically excluded from competition. Ev~ryone who meets the statutory age, citizenship and educational requ~rements may compete even if he or she ha,ppens to, fall outsid~ the preferred ranges of height. Indeed, a person who, ~s shorter tnan ';lsual ma~.r successfully compensate for low scores Ul. that area by h~gh scorl.ng on the physical fitness tests.

It is urged that all candidates be given a soreening-type physical

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exanlination by a competent physician before administration of the physical fitness tests. In this way persons whose health would be unduly taxed by the exertion will be eliminated.

The c.ouncil recognizes that the plan for administering the standard sEltting outlined herein may impose some additional financial burdens upon units of local government which can no longer automatically exclude applicants who fall outside acceptable ranges of height. However, the current state of the law in this area. makes that burden unavoidable. Furthermore, a unit of government ruay find that the rigi.d enforcement of the for.mer sta.ndards deprived it of the services of excellent potential officers.

Finally, the Council is pursuing hard data on many fronts. It recognizes fully that the job of policing must be completely analyzed, that each job element must be identified and examined, that the physical characteristics which make for successful performance must be analyzed, that the job relatedness of each of these must be validated over time. The Council also notes that the day-to-day work of protecting public safety must go forward while these analyses are undertaken. Abandonment of a.ll standards or refusal to take any action at all until the completion of exhaustive industrial psycho­logical studies are complete would have been easy but, in the eyes of the council, would have been less than responsible.

As a result, it is with full realization of the need for continuing study that the Municipal Police Training council publishes ~lese regulations governing the height, weight and physical fitness of applicants for appointment as police orficers.

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CONTINUING PHYSICP.~L FITNESS

While it is recognized to be of utmost importance that a police recruit measure up to specified standards of physical fitness at the time of appointment, it is equally as important that an acceptable level of physical fitness be maintained for the officer as long as he or she is r,etained in active assignment performing ordinary police duties.

It is therefore urged upon police agencies and local Civil Service Commissions that for the good of the public and for the benefit of police officers themselves, a regular system of physical checkups be inaugurateld and rlsquired. Officers who fail to meet acceptable physical sta.ndards should be so notified and be given an opportunity to correct any deficiencies. Department.al rules can be adopted to handle those situations that persist with­out being corrected, subject to the usual procedures or disciplin­ary action under Civil Service Law. Overweight is possibly the most frequent situation of this type.

PART I

REQUIRED MEDICAL STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES

(see accompanying illustrative check of conditions to be considered as disqualifying - part IV)

This examination is not rated on a percent score but merely on a pass or reject basis.

The findings of qualified medical examiners duly appointed by local Civil Service commissions shall be deemed to be valid for the purposes outlined in these standards. Examination reports from personal or family physicians of candida't.es are not to be presented by or on behalf of candidates certifying as to compliance with the standards contained herein.

ALLOWANCE FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS

It is recognized that no set of standards can possibly be devised wherein all exceptional situations may be identified and satisfactorily resolved,. It is therefore deemed advisable to permit a reasonable degree of latitude to the professional exam­iner in his identification and interpretation of exceptional con­tions which, in his opinion, would not adversely affect the per­formance of ordinary police duties by the candidate. Examples of such exceptional conditions, with guidelines for same, are outlined in separate sections of the standards.

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The general procedure to be followed by the examiner when a condition not within the st.ated limits is noted, is for the examiner to attach a signed statement to the report of exam­ination, in which he (I) identifies the particular condition, and (2) gives his medical opinion as to why this condition is deemed to be in' such degree or to such extent as \</ould not adversely affect tho performance of "ordinary police duties il by the candidate during the normal period of his police career.

Within the range of "ordinary police duties" t.he candidate should be capable of performing arduous physical exercise, such as running at al rapid pace for up to three or four minutes; doing heavy lifting such as carrying or helping carry an injured person or body for some distance; restraining a violent person, or similar strenuous feats, without obvious danger of over-exertion. An obvious lack of physical conditioning, obesity, or other types of physical di..sabilities would reasonably be considered to be barriers to the performance of "ordinary police duties" and any such defects should be considered by the examiner as grounds for disqualification. A police officer who cannot meet the physical demands of ordinary police duty is a liability to self and to fellow officers in certain emergency situa­tions, and such officer should be disqualified. It must be realized that "ordinary police duties" include those emergencies in which a police officer must take immediate positive action requi:r:ing a high degree of physical and mental response.

1. HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

The Municipal Police Training Council lecommends a height of 5'7" with commensurate weight according to frame. Failure to meet this height standard does not however di~qualify a candidate if he is able to achieve a composite grade predicated upon weighted factors assigned to the components of height and weight and physical fitness. Weighted scores assigned to these components are set out hereinafter.

AZthough~ of neaessity~ the foZZowing tabZe aommences at some specified height~ in fact no minimum height requirement has been pl'es(u'1:bed.

It should be noted that all police officer candidates must satisfactorily pass the physical fitness screening test described in Part III herein which is bottomed at the 31st percentile. Their successful completion of the agility, s'trength, speed and endurance tests, which comprise the physical fitness examination, together with their height/weight score will determine their overall pass or failure status as candidates for police officer appointment.

- Weight Variations

The M~nicipal Potice Training CounciZ recognizes a) that the tabZes beZow ape those recommended by the MetropoZitan Life Insurance Oompany (and the Ameriaan Heart Association); and b) that heaZthy axaeptions to the maximum weight in the tables may occur in candidates of unusuaZ muscular (and/or skeZetal) deveZopment.

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In furtheranae of this acknowledged fact J the CounaiZ wilZ pepmit Local Commissions to alZow up to twenty (20) pounds in exaess of the maximum weight shown in the tabZes in those cases where the examining physician certifies that the additional. Weight is lean body mass and not fat.

Decision as to frame size of a candidate is to be made by the examining physician.

Local Commissions may aZso adopt the procedure whereby exceptions to the weight schedule may be noted,at the tim7 of examination, with a written notice to the candldate that If he corrects the deficiency within a stated period of time up to the date of appointment, he may be further considered for such appoint­ment. In such instances the candidate is passed over in the normal certification procedure until the condition has been corrected and certified as having been corrected.

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W~~IGHT IN POUNDS ACCORDING 'I'O FRAME _11.. .It .Q Jl ..&

HEIGH'!' SMALL MEDIUM LAIWvJ WEIGHTED Feet Inches FRAME F'RAM1~ FRAME SCORE

.MA.L.E.S 5 2 112-120 118-129 126-141 15 5 3 115-123 121-133 129-144 15 5 4 118-126 124-136 132-148 20 5 5 121-129 127-139 135-152 30 5 6 124-133 130-143 138-156 40 5 7 128-137 1':14-147 142-161 (·0 5 8 132-141 138-152 147-166 aD 5 9 136-145 142-156 151-170 100 5 10 140-150 146-160 155-1i'ol iOD 5 11 144-154 150-165 159-179 100 6 0 148-158 154-170 164-184 100 6 1 152-162 158-175 168-18S! 100" 6 2 156-167 162-180 173-194 100 6 3 160··171 167-105 178-199 100 6 4 164-175 172-190 182-204 100

WEJOHT TN POUNDS AOCORDING TO FRAME: FEMALr~S

4 10 92-98 96-107 104-119 15 4 11 94-101 98-110 106-122 20 5 0 96-104 101-113 109-125 30 5 1 S'9-107 104-116 112-128 40 5 2 102-110 10i-119 115-131 60 5 3 105-113 110_122 118-134 80 5 4 108-116 113-126 121-138 100 5 5 111-119 116-130 125-142 100 5 6 114-123 120-135 12y-146 100 5 7 118-127 124-139 133-150 100 5 8 1:;>2-131 128-143 137-154 100 5 9 126-1:15 132-147 141-158 100 5 10 130-140 136-151 145-163 100 5 11 134-144 140-155 149-168 100 6 0 138- H8 1<4·-159 153-173 100

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\v}<~lGHTS FOR PHYSIC:\L FITNESS SCORES * F' iL

TOTAL PHYSICAL FlTNESS WEIGHTED SCORE 32+ 10 30 9 27 8 25 7 22 6 19 5 16 4 . -- ..

MULTIPLY THE SCORES IN COLUMNS E AND G. THE RESUL'l' (PRODUCT) IS THE TO'rAL SCORE OR GRADE. COMPOSITE I?NSS1NG GRADE; IS 150.

* (see PhysiCal Eli tness Screening Test Table on P. 13a)

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2. VISION

Adequate vision is most important to a police officer, for several obvious and valid reasons, among which are: self­protection, ability to focus on action whether near or at a distance, as an aid to the accurate use of firearms, and as an aid in criminal investigation or as a qualified witness in court.

Tests:

For visual acuity, Snellen test is generally recognized as standard.

For coLor perception, the Ishahara test is acceptabZe. The skein test shouZd not be used.

In addition to the tests for sharpness of eyesight and color perception, the examining physician should examine the eyes to make sure they are free from disease or possible condition that might lead to the rapid deterioration of the eyesight.

sta.ndards:

The minimum acceptable standard of visual acuity (uncorrected) shall be 20/40 in each eye, total vision corrected to 20/20.

perception of color is deemed acceptable if candidate correctly reads 10 or more of the first 15 Ishahara plate~.

DiSqualifying conditions: (see attached list - Part IV)

3. HEARING;..

It is highly desirable that all candidates be tested for sharpness of hearing, to establish a :t'Gcord of hearing ability at the time of recruitment and to provide a valid basis for disquali­fication of such candidates as are found to have obvious hearing defects ,.;hich ,.;ould interfere with ordinary police duty, such as inability to clearly perceive sounds within the normal voice range, or such sounds as are transmitted by police sirens, police radios, or voice commands, within normal decibel limits.

The use of a hearing aid by the c~ndidate should be considered to be disqualifying.

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The audiometer should be used as the inf3'l:,rument for measuring the hearing capability of the candidate. Such tests should be given in a reasonably quiet room. Tests by the voice of the examiner or by ~my devicE: other than an audiometer are not: considered to be valid and snould not be used .•

b (rt;w e (J n between aation. SOO and than 40

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A aandidate'a h_aping BhaZt bo tested by audiome*e~ 600 and B~OOO ayct~s pep 8ec~nd~ ~8ing onZy the ~anqa. 600 to 4~OOO ~yale8 pep second fop pupposes of quaZ~f~­A decibeZ ZODS of not mope than 30 is pepmitted between 2~OOO oyoles pep second and a decibeZ toaa of nat more iD pepmitted between 2~OOO and 4~OOO ayales pep oeaond.

MVSCULO~8F".ELETAL SYSTEM

ARMS AND LEGS, HANDS AND FEET (EXTREMITIES)

There shall be no afflictions, impairments, disabilities or absenc~s of the arms, legs, hands and feet which will interfere with the proper performance of ordinary police duties.

The extremities of the body must be free from afflic­t.ions of the joints, strains, stiffness, swelling or other abnormal C0nditions. Third degree flat feet, ingrowing toenails, hammer toes, claw toes, absence of toes should, if the examining physician considers them disabling or likely to be disabling in the future, eliminate the candidate from further consideration for police duty.

candidates are not acceptable if there is an impairment of more than one finger on either hand.

B. BACK, JOINTS AND MUSCLES

Disease or injury of back, joints or muscles, as revealed by examination Or x-ray - history of, e.g., arthritis, bursitis, my.ositis, osteomyelitis, tendonitis, repeated dislocation of a joint, etc. are sufficient cause for disqualificatio.n of the candi­date, as are the following conditions:

congenital malformation of back, e.g., sacralization of lumbar vertebrae, spondylolisthesis, etc.

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Limitation of motion or function; weakness of or lameness of back or join·t.

operation on bone, joint or spine, e.g., cartilage injury of knee. History of, disqualifies if any phase of this condition is unsatisfactory to Medical Examiner.

Significant abnormality of spine.

orthopedic braces.

5. NOSE, MOUTH AND TEETH

Any significant defects of the nose, mouth or teeth as would interfere with the performance of ordinary police duties shall be deemed to be disqualifying.

Seriously deviated nasal septum or any other significant obstruction to free breathing shall cause rejection. The mouth shall be free from any deformities or conditions that interfere with distinct speech or predlspose to disease of the ea.r, nose, or throat. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids or primary sinusitus may be listed as temporary disqualification and the applicant shall not be placed on an eligible list until the condition is remedied.

The teeth shall be well cared for and free from multiple cavities. pyorrhea, gingivitis or any irremediable disease of the gums or of the jaw of such a nature as to interfere seriously with the efficient performance of duty shall be cause for disqualification of the candidate.

properly fitting partial or full dentures are permitted.

It is permissible, where a remediable defect in this category is noted, to put the candidate on notice of the defect and permit him, within prescribed time limits, to have the defect corrected. In such instances, the candidate is passed over in the normal certification procedure until the condition has been corrected and certified as having been cor~ected.

6. VARICOSITY

Since the candidates being screened for appointments to the police service are in a relatively young age group, any symptoms of a substantial problem with varicose veins should be considered as sufficient reason for disqualification. It can be envisioned that a candidate with such symptoms might become unfit for duty at a future date, with the additional influence of having to be on his feet a

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great deal, and in severe weather conditions.

7. HERNIA

EXaminers are reminned that the nature of police work is sucb that police officers are particularly susceptible to hernias. ~herefore, any degree of tendency toward a weakness or suscepti­bility to this condition is deemed to be a matter for careful and detailed exploration.

It has been found that many employees become public liabil­ities due to hernia or potential hernia. It is therefore essential that singla, double, or incipient hernia shall cause the immediate rejection Of any candidate~ Hernia conditions controlled or corrected by truss are not acceptable for police positions. Candidates who indicate a willingness to correct hernia condition by surgical treat­ment may be retained on the eligible list. However, such candidates are passed over in the normal certification procedure until their con­dition has been judged corrected. Hydrocele is ample cause for rejec­tion. varicocele, if large or tending to become large shall cause disqualification.

8. RESPIRATION AND CIRCULATION

The respiration must be full, easy and regular. The res­piratory-sounds must be clear and distinct over both lungs and no disease of the respiratory organs should be present. Examination of the respiratory system, lungs, and chest wall shall include an x-ray test of the candidate at the time of the clinical test. The action of the heart should be uniform, free, and steady; its rhythm regular and the heart free from organic changes. There should be no thrills or indications of heart murmur. Acceptable blood pressure readings ta.ken at rest are: systolic not higher than 140, not lower than 90 (mm of Hg) i diastolic maximum 90 (rom of Hg) •

Where an initial reading does not come within the above­noted limits, it is permissible for the examiner to repeat the pro­cedure after allowing the candidate a period of relaxation and quiet. If readings are abnormal, two readings on each arm may be taken.

Specifically, any candidate who takes medication for the control of blood pressure is not acceptable to the police $ervice and should be disqualified.

9. , RECTUM

'rhe rectum shall be free from any disabling condition including hemorrhoida, fistulas or cysts judged by the examiner to

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be in need of medical attentio~. If such condition or conditions exist as can be corrected by appropriate surgery or medical atten­tion, the candidate may be retained on the eligible list if he indicates his willingness to have the situation corrected. However, such candidates are passed over in the normal certification procedure until the condition has been corrected and certified as having been corrected.

10. COORDINATION

The ability to integrate all parts of the body toward a single end is likewise a factor in physical fitness. In the well­coordinated individual, superfluo~s movements are eliminated, thus increasing precision and endurance. If, in the opinion of the medi­cal examiner the candidate obviously lacks coordination, this is to be considered as sufficient grounds for disqualification.

11. GYNECOLOGY

A gynecological examination for women, (bi-manual), shall be conducted to ascertain intactness of internal organs and the absence of cervical, uterine and ovarian pathology.

12. GENERAL APPEARANCE

It must be realized that policemen are required to meet the general public on various occasions. It is therefore desirable. that applicants be free from any marked deformity or any parasitic or systemic skin disease or any other defects which, although not disabling, wOl' •. ld nevertheless cause public reaction against the employee and thereby reduce his efficiency. The body shall be well proportioned, physically developed, and indicate ge~era~ wholesome, cleanliness. Obesity or scrawniness shall cause reJectlon of candl­date. Pronounced spinal curvature shall cause rejection.

In addition to the foregoing examination, the official physician should be requested to state if the candidate has any ot~er defects which would seriously impair his or her efficiency on the Job. The agency should inform the candidate of the result of the.m~dical examination and indicate whether the defects found are sufflClent to eliminate him or her from any future consideration, whether they are remediable defects, or whether the defects are disqualifying only for a position in the police service.

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PART II

CLINICAL TESTS -- REQUIRED PROCEDURES

In addition to the physical standards listed in Part I, cGrtain clinical tests shall be given to each candidate to provide further evidence of fitness for active police duty.

A. Urinalysis. I, candidates will be disqualified upon evidence of albuminuria, glycosuria or urinary tract infection. Glycosuria may be proven benign by subsequent blood te~ts, in which case that urine test result will be overlooked. 1I

8. Serologic Test ..

Addition of provision that clinical proof of active venereal infection is disqualifying but that this condition may be considered to be a remediable defect to permit later consideration of the candidate.

Candidates will be disqualified upon clinical proof of active venereal infection as determined by acceptable tests includ­ing the VORL slide test or the treponema 1 tests, namely, RCPF, TPI, and PTA (ABS). This condition may be considered as any other remedia-­bla defect which would permit the candidate to be considered for appointment at a later date, upon submission of valid certification that the condition had been corr~cted.

C. Chest X-ray The chest X-ray is a required procedure because of its obvious diagnostic value as part of a comprehensive medical exam­ination.

1SA. CLINICAL TESTS -- RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES

Rev. 11/74

A. Electro- An electrocardiograph examination is cardiogram. recommended to permit screening out some

of those persons with cardiac problems, and to provide a baseline examination for later comparison with regular periodic evaluations. Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of death and disability among all adults, particularly male adults, and in the case of police officers, is a major cause of compensation claims. An exercise or stress EKG should be included in the examination.

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e e I I

PART III

QUALIFYING PHYSICAL TES~[

Afte.,>:' the examining physician (or physicians) have com­pleted the aboVe-described procedures, the local Civil Service commission shall administer tests designed to measure the candidate's agilityo strength, speed and endurance. It is entirely possible that a candidate could meet all the medical standards required in Parts I and II and still be completely inadequate from the viewpoint of physi­cal standards. Because of the strenuous physical demands of the job of the police officer, it is imperative that minimum standards be adhered to in this aspect of tne screening process.

The following relquiremen'ts are set by 'the Municipal Police Training Council for several reasons, among which are:

(a) The tests are easily administered and require a minimum of equipment.

(b) These tests have been used in the physical education field by the New York State Department of Education for more than ten years and have been found to be valid.

(c) All procedures are within the view of the candidate who can plainly see the objectivity and fairness of the tests.

(d) These procedures are less susceptible to injuries sustained by candidates than some of the more complex or difficult procedures.

It is to be noted that the following physical tests are deemed to be minimum standards and should be considered to be qual­ifying tests. Any local Commission or police department desiring to establish more rigid standards,' or to require more ext.ensi ve testing procedures, may do so.

. REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS SCREENING 'rEST

The Physical Fitness Screening Test wi ~ 1" nopma1-Zy be preceded by the medical exa.mination and prescribed clinical tests.

IN NO CASE SHOULD THIS TEST BE GIVEN TO POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATES WHOSE MEDICAL STATUS IS QUESTIONABLE.

Any desired observation of or clarification concerning the Physical Fitness Screening Test.may be had by visiting the Phy'sical Education Division in any public 'High School in New York state.

-10- Rev. 11/7~

The prys:i.cal Fitness Screening '}e:::t is an individual per­formance typ~ te~ ~ composed of four differ..e'.1t test items. In aa.di tion to a total physical fitness score, the test provides four part scores indicating relative strengths and weaknesses in four basic components of physi.cal fitness. The test has been designed so that departments can ttwt a lllrga number of candidates in a minimum amount of time with littla or no equipment and supplies. The only equipment and supplies needed are a stop watch, Indian clubs or markers and masking tape or paint for mark.ing lines.

Since 1963 the New York State Department of Education has afforded this Screening Test to over one million stUdents.

The four components measured are agility, strength, speed and endurance. A brief desciption of the test items used to measure each component follows:-

AGI!IITY: The Sidestep is used to measure agility. Starting from a center line, the candidate sidesteps alternately first left then right across two outside lines 8 feet apart. The SCOre is based upon the number of lines crossed in 10 seconds.

~~]~: The Knee-Bent Sit-up is used to measure strength. Starting from the long lying position on his back, with knees bent at approximately a right angle, the candidate performs by raising the upper part of his body forward far enough to touoh an elbow to the opposite knee and then returning to the starting position. The score is the number of sit-ups completed in one minute.

~yE~b: The Dash is used to measure speed. Distance is 120 yards. The candidate runs four laps around two markers. 'rhe score is the amount of time to the nearest half second.

ENDURANCE: The Squat-'Thrust is used to measure endurance. starting from the erect standing position, the candidate performs the usual four-position exercise. The score is the number of squat-thrusts completed in one minute.

Separate norms in the form of achievement levels are pro-vj.do.d for. the total physical fitness score.

It io reoommonded that candidates be allowed Borne brief intoPvaZ betwoen eaoh aomponent with overall time for total soreening ~(lO t not to omceed ona hour J eroaept whepe a lapge group of oandidates to aolwduZcd.

~1HA'r THE TEST MEASURES ¥" WI • ;

lrhe Physioal Fi tne$S Screening Test provides a m~n~mum standurd for the measurement of a candidate's general physioal fit­nelS$ on the busis of four individual components of physical fitness that sho\t/ relatively little interdependence.. certain of the test

-11- Rev. 11/74

items do measure something' in addition to the components they rep­resent. For example, the sit-ups, a measure of strength, also reflect some endurance because they involve a repeated action. However, the fact that a test item is not a pu,~e measure of a com­ponent does not impair the value of the test. The primary emphasis in this test is upon total physical fitness, and the sum total of the component scores should provide an adequate basis as a guide to identifying the individual level of physical fitness.

Scores on the screening Test may be used as an indication of the ability of candidates to sustain vigorous physical activity. Generally, persons who do well on the test may be expected to par­ticipate in vigorous physical a9tivity for long~r periods with less fatigue than persons who score low on the test. High test results also imply that the person has the potential to 'Lltilize his muscula:t efforts for effective movement patterns. This is an important aspect of fitness. Although the candidate with basic strength and endurance tends to have an advantage in physical activity over those who lack these qualities, it is even more important that he have the potential to use his strength and endurance in situations which demand coordina-ted muscular effort.

It should be emphasized that this is not a medical test. High scores do not attest to the soundness of the functioning organs within the body. Scientists have demonstrated that some persons with heart lesions and other types of organic disabilities are able to score well on physical fitness tests. Furthermore, although the high fitness score does indicate that the candidate can sustain ~h~si'-:, cal exertion, this in no way indicates that such a strenuous act~v~ty is desirable.

WEIGHTED SCORES

Physical Fitness weighted scores start with a total physical fitness score of 16: which is achievement level 4 (318 t; percentile) with an assigned value of 4 and move upward to the 99th percentile and -to values of 10. (See columns with asterisk in Table below) All candidates must reach achievement level 4 or better in the Physical Fitness Screening Test.

The Total Physical Fitness score is the sum of the achieve­ment levels for the four components of the screening test.

How is the score in the Total Physical Fitnes~ Column arrived at? Suppose, for example that a police officer candida': ,:', obtained the following raw scores: agility - 17; strength - 18; spe~d - 29.) OJ endurance - 24. The achievement levels for each ()f

Rev. 11/74 -12-

----~-----------------------~-----

f! these components would be 4., 3) 5 and 4 respectively. This candi­date's total physical fitness score would be the sum of these four aChievement levels, or 16. To determine the physical fitness level fo~ this total score, find the number 16 in the column headed Total ~hysical Fitness. This score is at Achievement Level 4 and has been assi9'ned a ~leighted score or value of 4 for use in computing the composite passing grade. (see table on page 3a)

nev. 11/74 -13-

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* Aehirve- Par

men! centilo Level Rank

10 99

9 08 8 93

7 84

6 69 Ii 5C 4 31

:1 16 2 7

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Rev. 11/74

EtIYSICAL FITNESS SCREENING TEST

TABLE

Police Officer Candidate

• Total

Agility Strength SpoeO Endur. PhYIl~nl

an~o FilneRH

27+ 40+ 26.0 .(4+ 31l-

2u-2B 37-39 :15.5-26.0 30-43 :l0-31 22-24 34-36 26.& 31l-:\\\ ~7-:,H~

21 80_lI3 27.0-1n,1i 3:Z-34 2r.-211

20 27-29 !!s..O 30-31 22-2., 18-19 24 -26 213.,;-:10.0 27-20 10-21 11 21 -23 ~O,r)-30.r, 24-26 Ill-IS

15-10 111-20 31.0-:1:1.0 21-!!:I "'-If, 13-14 14 _oj '( 3:!.r)-H:~.[) IS-:W tl-13

10-12 JO -13 :l4.O-:lr,.I) 14-17 8-10

0-0 0-0 :10.0+ 0-13 0-7

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AchlovlI'

nlonl WI!I';hled Lovel Score

10 10

9 I)

8 8

7 7

(l II

" 5 4

:l !!

1

0

--------------------------------z~·------------__________ ...... ~~ . " Figure 1

a. Starting position

c. Sidestep to right across center line

The Agility Test

b. Sidestep to left across left outside line

d. Sidestep to right across right outside line

e. Sidestep to left across center line

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A. The Agility Test (Figure 1)

The sidestep is the test item used to measure agility.

Equipment and Testing station

1. Masking tape for marking floor lines (approximately 1 inch wide)

2. stop Watch

construct the number of individual testing stations required. An individual testing station consists of a set of three parallel lines, each approximately 5 feet in length. The distance from the middle 'of the center line to the outer borders of t~e outside lines should be 4 feet. The outer borders of the outside lines will then be 8 feet apart.

Procedure

The candidate being tested takes a standing position astride the center line with feet parallel to the line.

At the command IIReady--Go,1I he sidesteps to the left until his left foot completely crosses the line on his left and touches the floor on the outside of the line. This counts one point. He then sidesteps back to the right across the center line. This counts one point. He continues to the right until his right foot completely crosses the line on his right and touches the floor outside the right­hand line. This counts one pointo He next sidesteps back to his left and continues to sidestep back and forth as rapidly as possible.

The sidestepping may be done in any manner as long as the feet do not cross over one another and as long as the f:eet point in a direction parallel to the lines on the floor. The shoulders and hips must not turn or twist.

Time Limit and .Scoring

The time limit is 10 seconds.

One point is counted each time the candidate crosses one of the three lines: left, center, or right. The raw sc:ore is the total number of line crossings in 10 seconds.

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Figure 2 The Strength Test

a. Starting position b. Elbow to knee

c, Return to starting position d. Elbow to opposite knee

e. Return to starting position

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-------------------,-----.~--- --

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B. The Strength Test (Figure 2)

The Knee-Bent sit-up is the test item used to m~~sure strength.

Equipment

A stop watch is the only equipment necessary.

Procedure

The candidat(~ being tested takes the long lying position on his back with knees bent at approximately a right angle and feet about one foot apart. The fingers are interlaced and placed behind the neck. His partner, who is the scorer. kneels and holds the per­former's ankles. The scorer keeps the feet of the performer in con­tact with the floor and counts each successful sit-up.

At the command "Ready--Go," the performer raises the upper part of his body forward enough to touch an elbow to the opposite knee and returns to the starting position. Then he raises his body again, touching the other elbow to the opposite knee.

One complete sit-up is counted each time the performer returns to the starting position. The candidate is not allowed to stop and rest between sit-ups. If he fails to touch his elbow to his knee, a foul is committed and the sit-up does not count. Also, no score is allowed if the candida t,e fails to return to the starting position at the completion of each sit-up but merely rocks up to the sitting position. There is no loss of score if the same elbow and the same knee are used throughout the exercise.

Time Limit and scoring

The time limit is 1 minute.

The raw score is the total number of sit-ups successfully completed in the given time.

Rev. 11/74 -17-

Figure 3 Arrangement of Stations for Speed Test

Official

(7:\ .......... \.St I _t:;\ 'e'~

Tt~l'\ ® Start I ... Finish Line I I Line

t I I t '/ I ~ r

I t.~---~ Path of Runner

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--~f 14 feet

®-- J

45 feet

\~J ® ® ®-~'_1_1I : -- t 6 feet

~~~:PC:"_~~~.,l~O,~fe~et~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ __ _ t

® Candidate ® Turning Marker ' o Scorer

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C. The Speed Test (Figure 3)

The dash is the test item used to measure speed.

Equipment and Testing Station

1. stop watch

2. Objects that may be used as turning markers such as Indian clubs

For each testing station there should be room for a scorer and a running course with unobstructed space beyond the start and finish lines.

To insure maximum safety and performance, the following steps are recommended:

1. Mark the start and finish lines clearly. Indian clubs or rubber cones are suggested. Do not use metal rods, sticks, or any other objects that may cause i~jury to the runner.

2. Leave at least 14' feet of unobstructed space beyond the start and finish lines so that bandidates will be able to run at top speed past the finish line without danger of running into the gymnasium wall. or colliding with others.

3. Leave at least 6 feet of unobstructed space between the marker and the gymnasium wall at the turning end of the course to give runners sufficient room around the marker.

4. Keep everyone but the performer and scorer away from the running lane and the start and finish lines to avoid any interference with the runner.

Procedure

At the command "Ready-Go," the candidate being tested starts behind one marker, runs around the opposite marker, and

-L9-

returns to run around the marker at the starting point. The candidate should make each turn around a marker counterclockwise", If the performer knocks down either turning marker during the course of his run l he has committed a foul and must run the course again after a sufficient rest period.

Distance and Scoring

The running distance is shown below:

Running Distance No. of !saps No. of Yards

4 120

The candidate's raw score is the time to the nearest half second that it takes him to run the distance indicated.

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e e

D. The Endurance Test (Figure 4)

ThE' squat-thrust is the test item used to measure endurance.

Equipment

A stop watch is the only equipment necessary.

Procedure

The candidate being tested takes the erect standing position of attention.

At the command IIReady--GO IIi the performer bends his knees

and places his hands on the floor. The arms may be betweenl

outside ofl or in front of the bent knees. Then the performer extends his legs backward l keeping the arms and body straight as in the pushup position. He next returns to the squat position and then to the erect starting position.

One complete squat-thrust is counted each time the performer returns to the starting position of the four-position exercise. The candidate is not allowed to stop and rest between squat-thrusts. If the performer does not assume each of the four positions during one cycle of the four-count exercise l a foul is committed and the squat­thrust does not count.

Time Limit and Scoring

The time limit is 1 minute.

The candidate's raw score is the total number of squat­thrusts he successfully completes in the given time.

(SEE ILLUSTRATION ON NEXT PAGE)

-21":""

Figure 4 The Endurance Test

a. Starting position b. Squat position

c. Legs back positior d. Return to squat position

e. Return to starting position

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PART IV

l~DICAL STANDARDS FOR POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATES

DISQUALIFYING DEFECTS

The following list of defects, is designed for use by medical examiners in processing police candidates, and is to be used in conjunction with the guidelines for Medical Examiners in the screening of police officer candidates as prescribed by the Municipal Police Training council and listed above, Parts I and IIo This list is illustrative and is not intended as a com­plete list of disqualifying conditions. The presence of any of the defects listed below is deemed to be sufficient cause for disqualification:

I - ALLERGY

1. ASTHMA - presence of. History of treatment within the past five years, prior history may disqualify.

2. Other ALLERGIC CONDITIONS - History of chronic and incapacita­ting form.

II - BLOOD CONDITIONS

3. ANEMIA - or any other chronic blood condition.

III - CARDIOVASCULAR

4. BLOOD PRESSURE - Systolic not higher than 140 nor lower than 90 (rom of Hg)i Diastolic not higher than 90 (rom of Hg) •

(See Part I instructions on RESPIRATION AND CIRCULATION.)

5. HEART - Significant abnormality in rate, rhythm or force, or enlargement or significant murmur.

60 VARICOSE VEINS - presence of enlarged and significant.

IV - EAR CONDITIONS

7. HEARING - defective (see Part I of instructions)

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8. INFECTION of middle ear or mastoid - acute; chronic condition is disqualifying.

v - EYE CONDITIONS

9. CHRONIC EYE CONDITION - e.g., glaucoma, cataract, chronic inflammation.

10. COLOR - If Ishahara test is used, incorrect reading of six or more of the first 15 plates. (see Part I - Vision).

11. VISION - minimum of 20/40 in each eye, total vision corrected to 20/20.

VI - GASTRO-INTESTINAL CONDITIONS

12. HEMORRHOIDS - if significant, or other significant rectal condition$, e.g" fistula.

13. LIVER - enlargement or disease of, e.g., cirrhosis.

14. PEPTIC, oesophageal, gastric or duodenal ULCER - presence or history of.

VII - GENlTO - URINARY CONDITIONS

A. Urologic

15. DISEASE of the URINARY TRACT

B. Genital

16. ACUTE INFLAMMATORY CONDITION

17. SCROTAL MASS - significant - e.g., hydrocele, varicocele.

VIII - HEIGHT

18. Height of 5' 7" is recommended; Lesser height not disqualifying if candidate achieves composite grade based upon weighted factors described herein.

IX - HERNIA

19. PRESENCE of, in any part of body: inguinal, internal large unmilical, ventral; or tendency toward hernia. '

-24-

x - INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES

20. ACUTE LOCAL INFECTIONS

21. VENEREAL DISEASE, (active)

XI - METABOLIC DISEASE

22. DIABETES MELLITUS or RENAL DIABETES

XII - MUSCULO - SKELETAL SYSTEM

A. Back and Joints

23. CONGENITAL MALFORMATION of back -

24. DISEASE or INJURY of back, joints or muscles as revealed by examination or x-ray - History of, e.g., arthritis, bursitis, myositis, osteomyelitis, tendonitis, repeated dislocation of a joint, etc.

25. LIMITATION of motion or function; weakness or lameness of back or joint.

26. OPERATION on bone, joint or spine, e.g., cartilage injury of knee. History of, disqualifies if any phase of this condition is unsatisfactory to medical examiner.

27. SPINE - Significant abnormality of.

B. Upper Extremities

28. IMPAIRMENT of or absence of mo.:c.e than one finger on either hand.

29. IMPAIRED GRIP or function of hand.

30. LIMITATION of motion or function of shoulder, elbow, wrist or fingers.

C. Lower Extremities

31. LACK OF FULL FUNCTION of hip, knee, ankle, foot or toes.

32. DEFORMITY,' symptomatic or disabling which may impair function of foot, e.g., third degree flat feet; ingrowing toenails, hammer toes, claw toes, missing toes.

Rev. 11/74 -25-

XlIX - NERVOUS SYSTEM

33 .. EPILEPSY, SEIZURES - presence or history of.

34", ALCOHOLISM or DRUG ADDICTION - presence or history of.

XIV - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

35. SINUSITIS - Significant extent to be determined by local examiner.

36. RESPIRATORY CONDITION - Chronic, e.g., bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema, fibrosis; significant extent to be determined by local examiner.

37. ~UBERCULOSIS .... history of significant clinical.

xv - SPEECH

3a. INARTICULATENESS - or any marked speech defect, e.g., stuttering, except: mild lisp, if so severe as to interfere with satisfactory performance of duties.

XVI .... TEETH

39. UNCORRECTED COND·tTION - where significant.

Properly fitting upper or lower partial or full dentures ~ are. permitted. Decayed or badly broken teeth or numerous missing t.eeth may be canse for disqualification, although remediable defects allowable if corrected. (see Part I instructions.)

XVII - URINE EXAMINATIONS

40. ALBUMINURIA, GLYCOSURIA or RENAL DIABETES

XVIII - WEIGHT

41. OVERWEIGHT or UNDERWEIGHT

(seG part I chart and instructions on Height and Weight.)

XIX - OTHER DEFECTS

42. The causes for disqualification are not limited by the above list of defect$C) The medical examiner or examiners may put any question, make any examination and disqualify for any cause ~hich 1n his or their opinion tends to impair the present or future health or fitness of the applicant in the performance of ordinary police duty.

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